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How to Recharge Without Guilt This Summer

 

After months of early starts, endless emails, student needs, and last-minute to-dos, the school gates have finally closed. But as the rush slows, another feeling often creeps in: guilt.

If you’ve found yourself mentally running through next term’s tasks or feeling bad for not ‘doing more’ with your summer, this blog is for you.

Let’s be clear from the outset:

Rest is not a reward for working hard. It’s a necessity for doing the work well.

And for those who support students—emotionally, academically, pastorally—this applies more than ever.

You’re Not Just a Teacher. You’re a Human.

Over the last academic year, you’ve likely been:

  • An inspirer for students with no energy left.
  • A calm presence for young people in crisis.
  • A manager of deadlines and data.
  • A human go between liaising with departments.

It’s no wonder you’re tired.

August isn’t selfish. It’s survival. And guilt has no place in your recovery process.

Why Guilt Creeps In (And Why It Shouldn’t)

Teachers and school staff often work under a deep sense of responsibility—to keep going, give more, pick up the slack. And while this drive can make you great at your job, it also makes it harder to switch off.

You might worry:

  • “I should be getting ahead on September planning.”
  • “Everyone else seems to be doing something productive.”
  • “If I rest now, I’ll fall behind later.”

But here’s the truth: Your mind and body need downtime to repair. Not just to avoid burnout, but to be present, patient, and purposeful when the next academic year begins.

3 Reasons to Rest Without Guilt This Summer

✅ 1. You’re Still Working—Just in a Different Way

Rest = recovery. When you walk in nature, read for pleasure, or simply sit without rushing, your nervous system resets. This is what prepares you for:

  • Calmer responses to stress
  • Clearer thinking under pressure
  • Greater balance when students need you most

✅ 2. You Model Healthy Boundaries for Students

Students notice when staff are constantly overwhelmed or emotionally drained. By showing that rest is part of professional practice, you model something powerful:

That wellbeing isn’t optional—it’s essential.

✅ 3. Rest Now = Resilience Later

September brings fresh starts—but also:

  • New students with varying needs
  • Pressures from results, inspections, and targets
  • The emotional demands of struggling

Giving yourself proper space now helps prevent mid-term crashes and allows you to respond with calm authority instead of exhausted reaction.

If You Must Plan, Do It Gently

There’s nothing wrong with jotting down ideas or reviewing your CPD goals if it energises you. But it should never come from a place of pressure.

Consider asking:

  • What do I want to feel more of next year—calm, confidence, creativity?
  • What support or training would help me meet student needs without burning out?
  • Where can I make space for systems that ease—not add to—stress?

If you're planning CPD, summer is a great time to explore options and book ahead (without the last-minute rush of September). But do it on your terms, in your own time.

Permission to Rest: Granted

So here it is—your permission slip:

✨ You’re allowed to rest. You don’t have to earn it.
✨ Your downtime is productive. It makes you stronger.
✨ You are not lazy. You are restoring capacity for the year ahead.

Your work matters deeply. That’s exactly why your wellbeing does too.

Looking Ahead, Gently

If and when you're ready to think about the year ahead, remember you don’t have to do it alone—or all at once.

I offer CPD and school wellbeing solutions that prepare staff and students to face the year with clarity, calm, and confidence. No stress. No guilt. Just steady practical strategies that make a real difference.

👉 www.geraldinejozefiakcom/cpd
📩 Or message me at [email protected] to talk through your school’s priorities for next term.